Organic Matter and Mineralizable Nitrogen Relationships in Wetland Rice Soils

Abstract

Soil nitrogen (N) supply plays a dominant role in the N nutrition of wetland rice. Organic matter has been proposed as an index of soil N availability to wetland rice. This is based on the finding that mineralizable N produced under waterlogged conditions is related to soil organic carbon (C) and total N. The relationship between organic matter and mineralizable N is a prerequisite for determining the N requirement of wetland rice. However, no critical analysis of recent literature on organic matter–mineralizable N relationships has been made. This article evaluates current literature on the relationships of mineralizable N or ammonium N production with soil organic C in wetland rice soils. A number of studies with diverse wetland rice soils demonstrate a close relationship of N mineralized (ammonium‐N) under anaerobic conditions with organic C or total N. However, a few recent studies made on sites under long‐term intensive wetland rice cropping showed that strong positive relationships of mineralizable N with organic C or total N do not hold. Clearly, both quantity and quality of organic matter affect N mineralization in wetland rice soils. Future research is needed to clarify the role of quality of organic matter, especially its chemistry, as modified by the chemical environment of submerged soils, on the mineralization of organic N in wetland rice soils.     

Relationship between Oil Palm Yield and Soil Fertility as Affected by Topography in an Indonesian Plantation

Abstract

Typically, Indonesian oil palm plantations rest on rolling topography. There is limited information on how topography affects soil fertility and oil palm yields. A study was conducted to evaluate these relationships in a commercial oil palm plantation located in South Sumatra, Indonesia. Two sites with differing past management history and fertility regimes were each partitioned into three topographic positions. At each topographic position, yields were recorded at 10‐day intervals over a period of 2 years. Leaf and soil samples were collected from corresponding points spaced at 36.4 m (x direction) and 8.7 m (y direction) using a systematic scheme. Leaf analysis was performed to quantify nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca), and soil analysis was carried out to determine pH, organic carbon (C), extractable P, exchangeable K, Mg, and Ca, effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC), and texture. The collected data were subjected to exploratory, univariate, and bivariate analyses, as well as analysis of variance. Empirical production functions based on measured variables were defined for each topographic position. Results showed that average yields at both study sites varied with topographic position. At site 1 (Sungai Pelepah Estate), the sideslope and the summit consistently gave higher yields than the toeslope. At site 2 (Sri Gunung Estate), a yield gradient was observed with the highest yield occurring at the toeslope and the lowest yield from the summit. Soil fertility varied across topographic positions at both sites. The measured leaf/soil variables showed varying levels of optimality/sufficiency across topographic positions. In most cases, leaf and soil variables showed comparable performance as yield predictors. Validation of the calibrated models showed reasonable accuracy for the toeslope of site 1 and all three positions at site 2.     

Distribution of Chromium,Nickel, and Cobalt in Different Parts of Plant Species and Soil in Mining Area of Keban,Turkey

Abstract

The distribution of chromium, nickel, and cobalt in the plant species and soil of the Zn‐Pb‐Ag sulfide deposits of the Keban area in Turkey have been studied to determine both biogeochemical indicators and biomonitoring of environmental pollution. Plants, including Euphorbia, Verbascum, and Astragalus, and their associated soil samples were collected, and the roots and shoots of these plants together with soils were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). The three metal concentrations in the shoots of Euphorbia samples were found to be lower than in their roots, whereas the metal concentrations in shoots of Verbascum are higher than in their roots. Although the metal concentrations in soils were found to be lower than the permissible limits for agricultural purposes, the concentrations of these metals in different parts of some plants were observed at excessive/toxic levels. As a result, the roots of Euphorbia and the shoots of Verbascum and Astragalus can be used to biomonitor environmental contamination and as biogeochemical indicators.     

Phosphorus Fertility Assessment of Intensively Farmed Areas of Catchments Draining to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area; 1: Soil Phosphorus Status

Abstract

Australia's reef water quality protection plan has a key objective: “reduce the load of pollutants from diffuse sources in the water entering the Reef.” This article reports on a survey to assess the contemporary phosphorus (P) status of fertilized cropping soils across 21 catchments in coastal Queensland, Australia. The survey focused on surface soils from cane farms, vegetable and subtropical/tropical fruit tree sites. There were sampling depth effects on P levels in sugar and fruit tree sites (lower with depth). Importantly, 84% of 105 sugarcane sites were excessively fertile and only 3% rated low (P deficient). Some 75% of 16 vegetable sites and 38% of 8 fruit tree sites had excess ratings for extractable soil P fertility. Highest total P levels (0–10 cm) occurred in fruit tree sites, followed by vegetable and sugarcane soils. There are regional differences in P soil fertility, and the recycling of mill by‐products needs attention. Part 2 (Bloesch and Rayment 2006 Bloesch, P. M. and Rayment, G. E. 2006. “Phosphorus fertility assessment of intensively farmed areas of catchments draining to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, 2: Potential of soils to release soluble phosphorus”. In Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 37 [Google Scholar]) examines the potential of these soils to release soluble P in a nutrient‐sensitive area.     

Estimation of Saturated Paste Extracts’ Electrical Conductivity from 1:5 Soil/Water Suspension and Gypsum

Texture and salt type influence the relationships between saturated paste electrical conductivity (EC_e) and EC of other soil/water ratios. The objectives of this study were to develop and validate relationships between EC_e and EC_1:5 suspension for soils in Yazd Province and evaluate the effects of soil texture and gypsum on those relationships. Three hundred twenty-two soil samples were collected, of which 272 (all data) were used to develop the models and 50 were used to validate them. The soils were divided into two general textural categories of coarse and fine and two categories of with (G) and without gypsum (NG). Gypsum content had a stronger impact on the accuracy of the suspension method in predicting EC_e than texture. The EC_e = 5.60 EC_1:5 ? 4.37 and EC_e = 5.37 EC_1:5 + 0.57 models are recommended for soils with and without gypsum, respectively. The methodology can be implemented in other regions, particularly if gypsum is present.     

Effects of Organic Amendments on Productivity and Profitability of Bell Pepper–French Bean–Garden Pea System and on Soil Properties during Transition to Organic Production

A transition period of at least 2 years is required for annual crops before the produce may be certified as organically grown. There is a need to better understand the various management options for a smooth transition from conventional to organic production. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different organic amendments and biofertilizers (BFs) on productivity and profitability of a bell pepper–french bean–garden pea system as well as soil fertility and enzymatic activities during conversion to organic production. For this, the following six treatments were established in fixed plots: composted farmyard manure (FYMC, T₁); vermicompost (VC, T₂); poultry manure (PM, T₃) along with biofertilizers (BF) [Rhizobium/Azotobacter + phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (Pseudomonas striata)]; mix of three amendments (FYMC + PM + VC + BF, T₄); integrated nutrient management (FYMC + NPK, T₅); and unamended control (T₆). The yields of bell pepper and french bean under organic nutrient management were markedly lower (25.2–45.9% and 29.5–46.2%, respectively) than with the integrated nutrient management (INM). Among the organic treatments, T₄ and T₁ produced greater yields of both bell pepper (27.96 Mg ha^?1) and french bean (3.87 Mg ha^?1) compared with other treatments. In garden pea, however, T₄ gave the greatest pod yield (7.27 Mg ha^?1) and was significantly superior to other treatments except T₅ and T₁. The latter treatment resulted in the lowest soil bulk density (1.19 Mg m^?3) compared with other treatments. Similarly, soil organic C was significantly greater in all the treatments (1.21–1.30%) except T₂ compared to T₆ (1.06%). Plots under INM, however, had greater levels of available nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (NPK) than those under organic amendments. T₁ plots showed greater dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase activities compared with other treatments. However, T₄ and T₅ plots had greater activities of β-glucosidase and urease activities, respectively. The cost of cultivation was greater under organic nutrient management (except T₂) compared with INM. The latter treatment gave greater gross margin and benefit/cost (B/C) ratio for all vegetables, except that T₂ gave greater B/C ratio in garden pea compared with other treatments. We conclude that T₁ and T₄ were more suitable for enhancing the productivity of bell pepper–french bean–garden pea system, through improved soil properties, during transition to organic production.     

Comparing Nutrient Availability in Low-Fertility Soils using Ion Exchange Resin Capsules

Assessing the nutrient status of low-input, low-fertility desert soils poses some unique challenges. Commonly used soil analysis procedures and resin capsules generally assess nutrient status of fertile agricultural soils. Ion-exchange resin capsules (Unibest Company, Bozeman, Mont.) provide a viable alternative. A study was conducted to determine effectiveness of resin capsules to extract low levels of nutrients applied to native soils. Loamy sand and sandy clay loam desert soils from Utah were treated with combinations of four rates of nitrogen (N) as ammonium nitrate (34–0–0), three rates of phosphorus (P) as phosphoric acid (0–72–0), and two rates of iron sulfate (FeSO₄·7H₂O) and zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄·7H₂O) (include an untreated control). Each soil treatment was implanted with a resin capsule placed into either 250 or 1000 cm³ of soil after addition of water equivalent to 50% field capacity and incubated for either 60 or 120 days at 25 °C. After the appropriate incubation time, capsules were washed and extracted using 2 M hydrochloric acid (HCl), and the extract was used to measure iron (Fe), ammonium (NH₄)-N, nitrate (NO₃)-N, sulfur (S), and zinc (Zn). Conventional soil tests were completed on incubated soils (60 or 120 days). Resin capsules reflected NH₄-N and P fertilizer applied at low rates in the loamy sand but not in the sandy clay loam. Neither Fe nor Zn application was reflected in resin capsules, but the accompanying S was clearly quantified. In comparison to conventional soil test procedures, resin capsule NH₄-N was clearly a better indicator than KCl-extractable NH₄-N; resin capsule NO₃-N was effective, but not as good an indicator as water extraction; and resin capsule P was reflective of soil applied P in loamy sand but not in sandy clay loam, whereas sodium bicarbonate was effective in both soils. Resin capsules show promise for use in low-input conditions, but additional understanding of interactions in variable soils is needed.     

High Rate of Nitrogen Fertilization Increases the Crop Water Stress Index of Corn under Soil Drought

Soil nitrogen (N) availability is dominated by soil water regime and the N fertilizer levels, which affect crop growth in soil water stress. To determine the optimum N applications under different degrees of soil drought, this study investigated the effects of N fertilizer levels on the crop water stress index (CWSI) of summer corn under soil water stress. A 2-year field experiment was conducted in waterproof plots in upland red soils in subtropical China. Three N fertilizer levels and seven soil water deficit levels were employed in 2007 and 2008. Nitrogen fertilization had no influence on the CWSI of the corn under slight to moderate soil drought, but the high-N treatment increased the CWSI significantly (P < 0.01) under soil drought when the mean CWSI exceeded ～0.20. The results suggested that for scheduling irrigation or predicting crop yields, the equations between CWSI and yield should be established on comparable N fertilization levels.     

Fine-Root Production and Aboveground Development for Loblolly Pine,Silver Maple,and Cottonwood

Fine-root production was studied in recently established loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), silver maple (Acer saccharinum), and cottonwood (Populus deltoides) biomass plantations. Dry weights of fine roots produced in ingrowth cores were recorded from April 2008 to March 2009 to quantify the temporal variation of fine-root production among the species. Similarly, fine-root production was compared to the monthly height and diameter increments, soil temperature, and moisture content. Species showed no significant difference in fine-root production; however, fine-root production varied by month. Fine-root production in September was significantly different from that of December and January combined, February, and May. Loblolly pine produced 49 g m^?2, whereas silver maple and cottonwood produced 37 g m^?2 and 35 g m^?2 of fine roots, respectively, during the study period. Fine-root production was not correlated with height increment, diameter increment, soil temperature, and soil moisture.     

Effects of Different Soil Amendments Application on Soil Aggregate Stability and Soil Consistency under Wetting and Drying Altered Planting System

ABSTRACT

How to address improving degraded soil has become an increased concern for agricultural production. Biomass ash is used for remediation of degraded soil and improvement in soil structure. To investigate the responses of aggregate stability and soil consistency by biomass ash and other amendments, a pot experiment with a degraded soil and seven treatments including a control (CK), no fertilizer or amendment; only N-P-K fertilizer (F); N-P-K fertilizer with lime (FL), lime and zeolite (FLZ), biomass ash (FBA), biological fertilizer (FBF) and peat ash (FPA), respectively, were conducted. Stability of soil aggregate, water-holding capacity, and soil consistency was analyzed within a lettuce-water spinach-lettuce planting system. Results showed that amendment additions significantly raised the fractions of >0.25 mm soil aggregate. Applications of biomass ash reduced the percentage of aggregate destruction (PAD) by 45.07%-59.97% and reduced the value of fractal dimension (D) by 1.79–2.16 during whole cultivation period, indicating the stability of soil aggregates. Soil organic matter (SOM) plays a key role in soil consistency because of significant relationship between SOM and soil consistency indicators including plastic limit (PL), liquid limit (LL), plasticity index (PI) and liquidity index (LI). While, hydrodynamic characters and potential low clay content occurred in the soil treated with biomass ash during high moisture conditions. These findings suggest that the application of biomass ash improved the stability of soil aggregate, which improved the structural stability of degraded soil but may pose a risk to soil erosion by water force.